The Bishop of Liverpool has resigned from his position after two women, including the Bishop of Chelmsford, accused him of sexual harrassment. The Rt. Revd. Dr. John Perumbalath published a statement on Jan. 30 on the diocese website saying that the reason behind his resignation was the untenable situation due to the impact of the media reports, and that it should not be understood as an admission of guilt.
He continues to deny the allegations by Channel 4 News, a British television journalistic program, that featured testimonies of the victims of forced kissing and groping, among others.
“Having sought the permission of His Majesty the King, I have today taken the decision to retire from active ministry in the Church of England,” said Perumbalath.
“Earlier this week I was approached by Channel 4 news who informed me they would be broadcasting a story containing allegations of inappropriate behaviour by me against two different women.
“Since those allegations were made I have consistently maintained that I have not done anything wrong and continue to do so. Since the claims were made in 2023 they have been investigated and considered by experts from the National Safeguarding Team and had found them unsubstantiated.”
Perumbalath stated the first allegation had been investigated by police with no resulting further action.
“Despite this, media reports have treated me as guilty on all charges and treated these allegations as fact,” he said.
“Further it has been erroneously reported that prior to my appointment as Bishop of Liverpool I had failed the safeguarding assessment process. This is categorically not true. As the Church of England have made clear in their written statements over the past 48 hours responding to these false claims, the National Safeguarding Team found no concerns about my operational safeguarding experience and recommended some development work for me as I took on additional strategic safeguarding responsibilities – which is commonly the case for new diocesan bishops.”
Perumbalath criticized the “rush to judgement” and “trial by media,” whether via social or broadcast means, making his position untenable due to the impact on both the Diocese of Liverpool and the wider church.
“I do not wish this story to become a distraction for this incredible diocese and its people whom it has been an honour and joy to serve,” Perumbalath added.
“This is not a resignation occasioned by fault or by any admission of liability. Rather it has become clear that stepping back from my ministry and waiting for the completion of further reviews would mean a long period of uncertainty for the Diocese and all those who serve it.
“I have taken this decision for my own well-being, my family and the best interests of the Diocese. The exact date when my role will formally end is not yet determined. There are protocols to observe that I will now be attending to.
“But I step back from my ministry today. This means I will not be ministering in or leading the diocese with immediate effect. I informed the Archbishop of York of my decision and I understand he will put in place the necessary arrangements for episcopal oversight of the diocese for the remainder of my time here and during the vacancy.”
The Right Rev. Beverely A Mason, the Bishop of Warrington, published an open letter on the Diocese of Liverpool’s website, in which she confirmed herself as the second complainant against Perumbalath’s alleged behavior.
“Many of you will be aware of the Channel 4 investigation which has now led to the retirement of the Bishop of Liverpool,” wrote Mason, in her “pastoral letter.” “Whilst the report did not name the bishop as myself, I can now confirm to you that I am the second complainant.”
“In March 2023, when, as your acting diocesan bishop, I was advised of a complaint raised against the Bishop of Liverpool and a subsequent investigation by the National Safeguarding Team, I raised what I believe were significant concerns, which included my own disclosure,” she added, without offering further detail on the allegations.
While distancing herself from the media that she said should not be “serving as prosecutor, jury and judge”, Mason stated that bishops “cannot be above the law” or dealt differently from priests. She hoped for a “Kairos” moment for the Anglican church, as a result of the questions being asked as a result of the allegations, calling for “a time of honesty, humility, repentance, unity, hope and blessing.” She expressed uncertainty about her own future but asked for prayers for all those involved in the allegations, including Bishop John.
“If anything, a bishop must be held to greater scrutiny,” she added. “This is a biblical imperative.”
An additional statement on the Diocese of Liverpool’s website by Anglican leaders acknowledged the resignation had been taken “for the good” of the diocese.
“This is a deeply painful situation, and we hold all concerned in our prayers,” declared the leaders. “We will be liaising with the Archbishop of York in the coming days to establish interim episcopal oversight for the diocese. We continue working hard to support all those who have been affected by this story; and to support our clergy, congregations and staff as their ministry continues.”
The statement was signed by Debra Walker, Chair of the House of Laity; Peter Dawkin, Chair of the House of Clergy; Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool; Pete Spiers, Archdeacon of Knowsley & Sefton; Miranda Threlfall-Holmes, Archdeacon of Liverpool and Simon Fisher, Archdeacon of St Helens and Warrington.
The Archbishop of York, the Most Rev. Stephen Cottrell, is currently leading the Anglican Communion in an interim role after the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Justin Welby, resigned over his handling of prolific serial sex offender, the late John Smyth. Cottrell himself has faced recent calls to resign for allowing sex abuser, priest David Tudor, to stay in position, when Cottrell was Bishop of Chelmsford —despite the church banning the priest from being alone in the company of children.
In regards to the resignation of Perumbalath as Bishop of Liverpool, Cottrell issued a statement saying, “I respect his decision and thank him for his ministry.”
“My thoughts and prayers continue to be with all those who have been affected by this situation,” added Cottrell.
“I am committed to ensuring stability during this time of transition and will be putting the necessary arrangements in place to provide episcopal oversight for the Diocese. An acting Bishop for the Diocese of Liverpool will be announced in the coming days.”
